Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church sent a message to the third edition of the National Congress for Active Ageing, held on Monday, 17 November, at the Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest, highlighting the value of active and spiritually rooted ageing in contemporary society.
The message, emphasising the dignity of senior citizens and the importance of intergenerational solidarity, was read on his behalf by Fr. Ciprian Ion Ioniță, patriarchal advisor within the Social-Philanthropic Department of the Patriarchal Administration and president of the Filantropia Federation.
Patriarch Daniel underlined that healthy and active ageing is “a crown of wisdom” and a gift to society, encouraged participation of the elderly in community life, and recalled the Romanian Patriarchate’s ongoing pastoral and social programmes dedicated to seniors, including the 2023 Solemn Year of Pastoral Care for the Elderly.
Please find below Patriarch Daniel’s full message.
Active ageing – a treasure of wisdom and spiritual communication
With great joy, I received the invitation to participate in the third edition of the National Congress on Active Ageing, organised by the National Institute for Active Ageing Association at the Palace of Parliament between 17–18 November 2025.
From the event programme, we learned about the many ways senior citizens are involved in social activities and creative projects, so that the continuity of an active life can be cultivated even after retirement.
Active and healthy ageing, lived with a lifestyle pleasing to God and respected by other people, represents a model of shared experience through social participation and moral-spiritual balance, as we read in Holy Scripture: “Grey hair is a crown of glory; it is found in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31), and “The crown of the aged is great experience, and their glory is the fear of the Lord” (Sirach 25:9).
The teaching of the Church, flowing from biblical wisdom and the writings of the Holy Fathers, urges all people to preserve the bond between generations and inspires joy in life as a gift from God, expressed through gratitude and active participation in the life of the community — in the Family, the Church and Society.
In a society dominated by individualism and pragmatism, the Church brings the word of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and proposes forms of social integration that can be implemented both in urban and rural environments: Sunday attendance at the Divine Liturgy and Eucharistic communion, spiritual reading, social and charitable projects, pastoral visits, pilgrimages, and other forms that unite freedom and responsibility in serving one’s neighbour.
The Romanian Patriarchate proclaimed 2023 the Solemn Year of Pastoral Care for the Elderly. In parishes and monasteries, in theological schools, and in the Church’s social-medical and media institutions, numerous programmes and thematic projects were carried out for Romania’s seniors and grandparents.
Believers of all ages came together to understand the value of old age in a Christian society and organised actions to support vulnerable elderly people, whether due to illness, material need, or loneliness.
Such forms of cooperation remain a constant in the Church’s activity, as many elderly people serve on parish councils and committees, while in monasteries, the elder spiritual fathers are respected as guides, intercessors, and lights on the path of salvation.
In conclusion, we pray to the Most Holy Trinity — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — to grant you health, joy, hope, and abundant help in your noble work of supporting active ageing, as an expression of esteem for human dignity.
With respect and blessing,
† DANIEL
Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church
Photo: Freepik / Wirestock
